Rob Wilson interviewed for chair position at Charity Commission

The former charities minister lost his Reading East seat at this year's general election

Rob Wilson when in office

Rob Wilson, the former Minister for Civil Society, has been interviewed for the position of chair of the Charity Commission, Third Sector understands.

Wilson, whose three-year term as charities minister came to an end when he lost his Reading East seat in the general election in June, is understood to be in the running to take over as chair of the regulator from William Shawcross, who has been in post since 2012 and is due to step down towards the end of the year when his term expires.

Bubb said: "How can they tell charities not to be party political if their chair is a very recent Conservative minister?"

Shawcross has attracted some controversy during his time in the role because of issues including his membership of the right-wing think tank the Henry Jackson Society, which he relinquished before taking up the role.

Bubb said: "Given some of the issues the commission has had with the retiring chair, it needs someone completely above the political fray. This is not what is needed."

He said his objections to Wilson’s candidacy were not due to Wilson’s qualities or qualifications as a person.

"Whoever is appointed will have to make decisions in the interest of charities," said Bubb. "With Wilson as the chair, there would always be the perception that decisions are being made in the interest of government."

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